Ciudad Encantada

Useful Information

photography — Ciudad Encantada, Spain. Public Domain.

Location:	Near Cuenca, Valdecabras, Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park. (40.206542, -2.005614)
Open:	NOV to mid-FEB daily 10-18. Mid-FEB to mid-MAR daily 10-18:30. Mid-MAR to MAR daily 10-19. APR to mid-JUN daily 10-20. Mid-JUN to AUG daily 10-21. SEP to mid-SEP daily 10-20:30. Mid-SEP to SEP daily 10-20. OCT daily 10-19:30. Last entry 1.5 h before closing. [2021]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5, Children (8-12) EUR 4, Children (0-7) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 4. [2021]
Classification:	Limestone Pavements Stone Forests Bare karst
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	Ar=100 ha.
Guided tours:	self guided, L=3 km, D=1.5 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	La Ciudad Encantada, Carretera CM-2104, Km 19, 16146 Valdecabras, Cuenca, Tel: +34-634-90-99-52. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

11-JUN-1929

declared a Natural Site of National Interest.

Description

Ciudad Encantada (Enchanted City) is a bare karst area with strange rock formations. The forms are a result of weathering, dissolution of limestone by rain water creating karren and widening cracks forming limestone pavements. But also the waters of the nearby Júcar river have formed the rocks into distinctive shapes. And the limestone is partly dolomite which has a higher resistance against weathering, so most rocks are composed of dolomite. The results are mushroom shaped rocks, ledges, caves, narrow gorge-like cracks, and natural bridges.

The site has a parking lot and visitor center at the road. From here a three kilometer long circular trail which is well signposted starts. The walk is said to take 1.5 hours, obviously including a lot of time for sightseeing and taking pictures. A map of the trail is available for download on the website.

There is a fee for the park, however, it is not very expensive. The open hours are pretty complicated, but we guess daily from 10 to sunset is a good rule of thumb. Prepare for the walk with good walking shoes, enough water and sun protection for the summer and warm clothes and raincoat for the winter.

The site was used as filming location for numerous famous movies. Some examples are The Valley of Gwangi (1969), Conan the Barbarian (1982), and The World is not enough (1999).